Meet the candidates
La Plata County commissioner hopefuls weigh in

This week the Durango Telegraph put questions to the candidates for La Plata County Commissioner. The responses are printed in the order they were received, and Harry Baxstrom, Wally White’s Republican opponent in the race, decided not to play.

Name: Peter Tregillus, 58

Affiliation: Democrat

If a tape/CD/MP3 got stuck in your car stereo what would it be? Eddie Palmeiri, “Listen Here!”

Famous figure you most identify with: Used to be Saul Alinsky; now it’s Benjamin Franklin

Your dream vacation: A Peru combo adventure, combining city and people contact, jungle exploration, hiking in the Andes, with visits to ancient sites

Favorite book: Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond

Favorite local restaurant: Himalaya

Hobbies: Classical and jazz piano, growing pumpkins, raspberries and tomatoes; and occasional origami

Type of car you drive: 1993 Subaru Legacy Wagon

What is your take on growth in La Plata County? Managing growth is the number one concern I hear going door-to-door. People with money want to live here. This drives up costs and drives out working families and young people. To fail to respond is unacceptable.

I’ve been hearing this as a concern for more than 10 years, but the county has been slow to act. We operate under a pre-2002, antiquated code that fails to manage growth. This benefits developers, land owners most of the time, and construction workers some of the time. But it shifts costs to the taxpayers and residents, through increased congestion, road damage, or young adults and families paying a premium for housing.

Let’s enact the new land use code. Let’s update the 2001 Comprehensive Plan. Let’s re-do the Intergovernmental Agreements governing growth just outside the Durango and Bayfield city limits. Let’s make them a priority.

Finally, let’s recognize that the private market will not and cannot build affordable housing if left alone. Elected officials can pretend to favor affordable housing while doing nothing. I’ve built ownership AND rental affordable housing, and I can detect stall tactics. I want to change HOW the county grows. If you want a change too, please vote for Peter Tregillus.

Name: Kellie Hotter, 45

Affiliation: Republican

If a tape/CD/MP3 got stuck in your car stereo what would it be? Eckhart Tolle – “A New Earth” (on disc)

Famous figure you most identify with: Oprah, in that she is a perpetual student of life, her endless pursuit of spiritual growth/awareness and the desire to disseminate and aid with the knowledge gained.

Your dream vacation: On a beach in Mexico, with a great book and a margarita!

Favorite book: Reading for pleasure? Hmm ... I vaguely remember what that was like

Favorite local restaurant: Ken & Sue’s. My daughter is a manager there!

Hobbies: Reintroducing myself to my teenagers, as often as possible

Type of car you drive: Black Dodge Charger

What is your take on growth in La Plata County? Properly managing residential and commercial growth in our county is one of the most important components of being a LPC Commissioner. We know growth will, and must, happen. Our job as leaders is to guide and direct that growth to the appropriate areas. To be successful in doing that, we also need to have coordinated efforts with Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and the Tribe. Addressing growth means tackling the infrastructure, transportation and housing.

• We need to consider multi-modal transportation options in our land-use decisions … i.e., bike paths and alternative modes of transportation.

• We will be starting the process to update our comprehensive plan and some district plans next year, which will allow for some proactive planning of growth hubs and a more streamlined process once areas have been identified.

• We need to have housing policies that help to keep the essential diversity in LPC. Those who work in LPC should be able to live in LPC. I believe that we need to encourage more rental units and even the seemingly rare apartment buildings for those not ready to purchase.

• We need to plan for commercial growth to diversify our economic base.

I have been working on smart growth concepts since I was appointed to Governor Romer’s Smart Growth Council, representing LPC from 1995-98. I continue to utilize those smart growth principles in my role as your commissioner.

Name: Wallace L. White (Wally), 66

Party affiliation: Democrat

If a tape/CD/MP3 got stuck in your car stereo what would it be? Probably one of Charlie Musselwhite’s many albums

Famous figure you most identify with: I’ve never given this any thought

Your dream vacation: 10 days in the backcountry of Yellowstone Park

Favorite book: No favorites, I read a great variety of books. Currently, Plan 3.0, Mobilizing to Save Society by Lester R. Brown

Favorite local restaurant: Either of the sushi restaurants

Hobbies: Hiking in backcountry with my llamas, visiting places I have never been, fishing, skiing

Type of car you drive: ’89 Volvo 240

What is your take on growth in La Plata County? Growth has been a major concern for more than 20 years. As a member of the County Planning Commission in 1984, I introduced the idea of comprehensive land use plan, which has undergone many changes since then. Our current code, which has not been implemented yet, will be revised shortly and should include a form of zoning that will give the county the tools necessary to guide growth in a more responsible manner. In combination with our strategic plan, The Compass, a plan that I brought forward in 2005, we have a vision for the future that will carry us forward in a more efficient and sustainable manner. In addition, we have developed the best oil and gas regulations in the state, which will be included in our land use plan. With the current economy, I believe we can move forward with this in preparation for continued future growth. Having good guidelines in place is critical to protect our current quality of life and leave something that future generations can be proud of.